Coming off the greatest seasons in program history, what could Glenbard East and Bartlett possibly do for an encore?

For both, a big first step is winning the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division.

Bartlett (4-1-0 overall, 1-0-0) plays host to the defending champion Rams (5-0-0, 0-0-0) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Millennium Field in Streamwood. Glenbard East is ranked no. 4 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.

“Huge emphasis (on the UEC title), it’s a major goal that is spread across the entire season,” said Glenbard East coach Kent Overbey. “This is something that that we feel is very important to our program each and every year. It came down to Bartlett and us last season, and we know they're going to be ready. It should be a great game.”

Glenbard East won the 2016 meeting 2-0 April 23 in Lombard en route to the conference title, a historic run all the way to third place at the Class 3A state tournament and a program-best 24-5 final record. Before last season, the program had never even captured a regional title.

The 2016 Hawks set a single-season school record for victories with an 18-6-1 mark and achieved only the program’s second regional title and first since 2009. After beating Batavia 3-2 on penalty kicks for the regional crown, they lost to St. Charles North 3-2 in overtime in the sectional semifinals.

“Winning conference is one of our major goals every season. Winning conference is something our girls program has yet to do,” said second-year Bartlett coach Vince DiNuzzo. “It would be very special for this group to finally get it done. Although there are three more games in the conference after this, we are aware that this one has major significance.”

So far this season, Glenbard East has outscored opponents 19-2, allowing just one goal its last two games after shutting out Joliet West, Morton and Lincoln-Way West. Its 5-1 victory over Andrew March 25 at Reavis gave the Rams the Windy City Ram Classic title for the first time. The 2-1 semifinal victory over no. 13 Lincoln-Way East on March 21 is the only game decided by fewer than two goals.

Bartlett has outscored opponents 21-5 and has three-consecutive shutouts since losing at home to no. 5 St. Charles North 4-0 on March 21. Besides the 1-0 victory at Oswego March 22, its other three victories are by six or seven goals.

“We took a lot away from (St. Charles North). That game still sits in the back of our minds,” DiNuzzo said. “We learned that simple mistakes will cost you goals against good teams. We also learned that this game requires you to take advantage of quality chances. When you don’t capitalize, it can cost you wins.”

Glenbard East returns seven players with starting varsity experience. Their team captains are seniors Dana Plotke and Paige Taylor and juniors Faith Davies and Katie Hansen.

Forward Plotke, who will play collegiately at North Central, had 16 goals and seven assists in 2016 and already has five goals and two assists this season. Taylor, a Western Illinois recruit, has been moved to central defender with Hansen (3 goals). They’ve been “lights out” teaming with new starters on the outside, sophomore Sam Johnson and junior Mattie Pusateri, according to Overbey.

Davies has drawn NCAA Division I interest as a goalie and center midfielder. In the field, she has two goals and three assists after one goal and seven assists in 2016.

Junior Elizabeth Toledo has two goals and five assists, and junior Mimi Camacho has two goals and three assists.

“Extremely pleased with our defending so far this season. That starts at the forwards,” Overbey said. “Specifically, I’ve been very impressed with our back four. Our midfield has done a great job of shutting the other team’s playmakers down, Ali Liljestrand and Amy Chiero doing the bulk of the work.”

Senior subs include defender Holly Gura (3 goals), who will play at Edgewood College, and forward Carrigan Sablik, a 2016 starter who has four goals.

Wetterman, who will play at North Central, and Brooke Bednarke are back this season from knee injuries.

“I have been most pleased with our team’s ability to continue to create chances for each other,” DiNuzzo said. “I have also been pleased with how our back four and keepers have progressed over the last three games.”

The past two games, Bartlett dominated Streamwood 6-0 March 26 and East Aurora 7-0 in the conference opener March 27 but only led both 1-0 at halftime. Modugno and the Bednarkes missed both games during spring break but the trio should be available Tuesday.

Glenbard East has yet to allow a goal in the course of play, surrendering a penalty kick to Lincoln-Way East to fall behind 1-0 and a broken play off a corner kick against Andrew.

The Andrew game also saw a great effort from Camacho, who moved from forward to center midfield after Chiero suffered a broken wrist against Lincoln-Way East. Sophomore Lindsey Novak started at forward.

“I’ve been most surprised by our team’s level of maturity. We’ve already overcome some significant adversity and haven’t seemed to miss a beat,” Overbey said.

“I think 2016 has been a huge contributing factor. It’s hard as a coach because I don’t want to keep talking about last year. We have to walk the line between beating a dead horse and making valuable comparisons. I think the most important thing we’ve taken is the mental focus and mental fortitude to overcome obstacles.”

This will be Bartlett’s fourth home game. Their last scheduled game Thursday at Schaumburg was canceled.

The Rams’ first game in 10 days also will be their third on the road.

“Glenbard East is a quality side, and I believe it will be a great battle,” DiNuzzo said. “For us, we will focus on minimizing mistakes in the back and maximizing our chances in front of the goal.”

“I think the key is going to be the midfield,” Overbey said. “Vince does a great job over there, and they’re rolling right now. I think the biggest test for us is how we come out of spring break. They return a ton of talent from that (2016) team, and there is a ton of experience. It should be a great matchup and a huge early season test.”